When you trim your
tree
this year, trim your electric bill at the same time by replacing the
old incandescent light strings with Light Emitting Diode (LED)
lights.

LED lights have been around for several years but, until
recently, were only available in red. Early versions
of the lights
were also dim. Recent developments in LED lighting have
produced
brighter lights in a variety of colors.

LED lights have several advantages over incandescent lights:

•
LED lights use 80 percent less energy than traditional
lights. A
string of 50 LED lights uses 3.2 watts, while a string of 50
standard
bulbs uses 20.4 watts.

• LED lights are cool to the
touch.

• LED lights have an average
life of 20,000
hours. Standard bulbs burn for less than half that time.

• LED lights are plastic and
therefore more durable than standard bulbs.

The
initial cost of a string of LED lights is still higher than a string of
standard bulbs, but the extended life and reduced energy consumption
make them a green solution to decking your halls this holiday season.